By Associated Press • 

Hiking permits to be required for Oregon’s central Cascades

PORTLAND – A new permitting system for hikers and backpackers in Oregon’s central Cascade Mountains will be implemented this year.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports it comes after years of development and a year after it was paused because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Forest Service said Thursday permits will be required starting May 28 for some of the most popular trails in the Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mount Washington wilderness areas. Permits will be required only during the busiest hiking season, which will end Sept. 24 this year.

The permits are meant to reduce the number of hikers allowed into those wilderness areas, as a response to overcrowding and human impact.

The number of permits issued per day will vary by trailhead. A full list of the trailheads and the number of permits to be issued is posted in documentation of the plan online. Day hikers will be charged $1 and backpackers $6 to book a permit online at Recreation.gov, officials said.

Reservations for permits will open at 7 a.m. April 6, forest officials said. However, only a portion of the permits will be made available right away. At least half the hiking and backpacking permits will be released on a seven-day rolling window throughout the season, allowing for more spontaneous trips.

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